Smith, John: A catalogue raisonné of the works of the most eminent Dutch, Flemish, and French painters: in which is included a short biographical notice of the artists, with a copious description of their principal pictures : a statement of the prices at which such pictures have been sold at public sales on the continent and in England; a reference the the galleries and private collections in which a large portion are at present; and the names of the artists by whom they have been engraved; to which is added, a brief notice of the scholars & imitators of the great masters of the above schools (Part 8) (London: Smith and Son, 1837)

NICHOLAS POUSSIN.

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New Testament Subjects.

THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS.
FIRST SERIES.
135. Baptism. This picture is composed of thirteen figures
assembled on the bank of a river, forming the fore-ground
of a hilly country. The Saviour is seen on the left, stand-
ing conspicuously in a front view in a shallow part of the
stream, with his hands crossed on his breast and his eyes directed
downwards, receiving from St. John the mystical signs of the
ordinance, by the pouring of water on his head. On the left
of Jesus are two young men, one of whom is stooping and
apparently raising the bottom of the vesture of Christ, lest it
touch the water. Behind the saint is a group of six persons,
one of whom is an aged man stripped to the loins, bending in
pious reverence; the attention of the others is directed to the
miraculous descent of a dove, which hovers over the head of
Jesus. This appearance has alarmed a boy, who is clinging
round the loins of the aged man. Of the three remaining
persons, one is seated pulling off his stockings, a second is
drawing his raiment over his head, while the third is preparing
to receive the spiritual rite. Engraved by Dughet, and L.
de Chatillon.

136. Confirmation. This highly-interesting subject is
composed of sixteen figures, representing the officiating
minister seated on the left, with his hand on the head of a
child, who stands with his hands united, before him. The
former is attended by a youth, who holds the sacred oil on a
salver, and another young man stands behind. On the
opposite side of the picture is a group of women with their
children ; one of these, kneeling with her back to the spectator,